17 September,2026 04:15 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray called on Shiv Sena (UBT) workers to monitor crop-loss surveys and mobilise farmers irrespective of caste and religion. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday criticised the BJP-led Maharashtra government over what he described as delays in development works in Marathwada and alleged that leaders of the ruling parties lacked the courage to raise the region's problems, reported the PTI.
Thackeray was speaking at a party programme titled âMarathwadyacha Vikas: Tum Se Na Ho Payega' (Marathwada's Development: You Won't Be Able to Do It) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the occasion of Marathwada Liberation Day.
The former chief minister raised issues concerning farmers, crop losses and the drought-like situation in parts of Maharashtra, the news agency reported.
He alleged that the Mahayuti government had failed to provide adequate assistance to farmers affected by crop losses and sought relief measures for cultivators, the news agency reported.
The state government has said crop-loss surveys will begin after October 5 and that financial assistance will be provided from state resources while awaiting assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Thackeray claimed that the development backlog of Marathwada's eight districts had increased to Rs 60,000 crore.
According to the PTI, he also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his visit to New Delhi on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and questioned the government's focus on the region's development.
Thackeray said elected representatives from Marathwada should raise issues concerning the region and its farmers.
Referring to the rainfall situation, Thackeray criticised the government's decision to begin crop-loss surveys after October 5.
He compared Maharashtra's response with that of Karnataka, claiming that Karnataka had declared drought conditions on August 27 and started related measures.
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had said on September 14 that 18 districts in the state were facing drought-like conditions because of inadequate rainfall. He said district collectors had been asked to prepare reports on the situation, as per the PTI.
Thackeray also criticised Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over newspaper advertisements issued on the occasion of Prime Minister Modi's birthday.
He said the money spent on such advertisements should instead have been used for the development of Marathwada.
He also cited the example of a farmer from Latur whose bull was reportedly killed by lightning and claimed that the replacement bull arranged by the government was unwell, the news agency reported.
Thackeray called on Shiv Sena (UBT) workers to monitor crop-loss surveys and mobilise farmers irrespective of caste and religion.
He also urged party workers to raise farmers' concerns at the village level.
Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve alleged that decisions announced for Marathwada's development had been implemented slowly, reported the PTI.
Referring to Article 371(2) of the Constitution, Danve claimed that the state government had taken 780 decisions relating to the region's development but that only 1.2 per cent had been implemented.
He also alleged that adequate funds had not been released for irrigation projects announced for Marathwada.
According to Danve, 13 irrigation projects were announced in 2023 with an allocation of Rs 13,000 crore, but only around Rs 800 crore to Rs 900 crore had been released so far, as per the PTI.
These figures and allegations were made by Danve and were not independently established in the material available for this report.
The programme was held on Marathwada Liberation Day, observed on September 17. The region, which was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad State, came under Indian Union administration in September 1948 following the end of the Nizam's rule.
(with PTI inputs)
